A TEST VALLEY MP has said she 'will not defend' the actions of anyone involved in an alleged 'Christmas party', reportedly held at Downing Street last year.

Caroline Nokes, Conservative MP for Romsey and Southampton North - which covers areas of Test Valley including Barton Stacey - confirmed to the Advertiser that she did not attend any such party, which was not permitted under coronavirus restrictions in place at the time.

She said: “I did not attend any party at Downing Street and nor would I have done if I had been invited.

“Parties were not permitted within Covid rules and my constituents largely did the right thing.

"I will not defend whatever happened in Downing Street.”

It comes after, earlier this week, a video emerged of Downing Street staff joking about Covid restrictions just days after the gathering in No 10 on December 18 last year.

This led to the resignation of Allegra Stratton, the PM's spokesperson.

However, Scotland Yard has said police officers will not “commence an investigation at this time” in line with its “policy not to investigate retrospective breaches” of coronavirus rules.